Tony Blackburn wrapped up his final local BBC programme and was off to his new position within 24 hours.
The radio veteran, who has spent 43 years filling local airwaves with music and his soothing voice, is gently shifting direction.
The Coronation Street aficionado has left local radio, where he was a regular in Berkshire, Oxford, and the Solent, to focus on other projects, including work for BBC Radio 2.
That began with a station takeover to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Radio Caroline, the UK’s first ‘pirate’ option, where Tony formerly worked.
It was transmitted from international seas, thus it could not be considered unlawful because it operated outside of national authority. It criticised the BBC’s broadcasting monopoly and record labels’ dominance over popular music.
Tony honoured the anniversary by disrupting usual operations on Radio 2 and ‘locking out’ presenter Zoe Ball.
‘I’m here, anarchy once again. We ARE pirates, we’re pirate Radio 2 and here we go, and for the next hour I’m going to play you proper music! Here it is!’
Listeners approved of the stunt, which was also promoting Clash of the Pirates which he will co-host with Johnnie Walker from tomorrow.
‘Having a bad morning with work and then discover that Tony Blackburn has hijacked Zoe’s breakfast show on @BBCRadio2. Day instantly improves,’ wrote Sara on X.
Robert thinks this is ‘what @radio2 should sound like,’ and Matthew Gormley said it was: ‘the best thing to happen in a long time’.
The resounding praise continued with many calling for him to be a ‘permanent fixture’.
Loving @tonyblackburn hosting the @BBCRadio2 breakfast show right now. Should be a permanent fixture….
— Nick Canham (@NCanham) March 28, 2024
Having a bad morning with work and then discover that Tony Blackburn has hijacked Zoe's breakfast show on @BBCRadio2. Day instantly improves 😂😂
— Sara (@Thegeekycrafter) March 28, 2024
This is the best @radio2 has sounded for decades proper music with a proper DJ,Tony Blackburn on top form. This is what @radio2 should sound like.
— Robert (@RobertVine12) March 28, 2024
Tony Blackburn taking over the Radio 2 breakfast show is the best thing to happen in a long time.
That was an utter joy. @tonyblackburn
— Matthew Gormley (@MatthewPGormley) March 28, 2024
During the broadcast, Tony couldn’t resist a little trash-talking, which also amused those tuning in.
‘I understand that Radio 5 Live is celebrating 30 years. We laugh at them. We actually laugh at Radio 5. Celebrating 30 years for goodness sake. Unbelievable,’ he remarked.
During his final local radio show earlier this week, Tony began his sign-off by acknowledging the last song he’d chosen: ‘That’s Law Rauls and You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine.
‘Well, 43 years on BBC local radio and that’s it as far as I’m concerned.
‘Thank you so much. I want to thank you very much indeed for listening to me over the years. Thank you very much for that.
‘It’s been a pleasure being here and I look forward to being with you in other places let’s put it that way.
‘Once again thanks very much indeed for all the memories and all the lovely music, I hope you’ve enjoyed the music I’ve brought you on Sunday afternoons.
‘And from me Tony Blackburn to BBC Local Radio, bye-bye,’ he concluded.
He first revealed his intention to depart his local radio show last month.
‘Hi there, just wanted to let you know that I have decided to end my BBC Local Radio Sunday afternoon show that goes out on @BBCBerkshire, @BBCOxford, @BBCRadioSolent and @BBCSounds,’ he wrote on X.
‘I have loved the callers and the fun we’ve some stage I might come back to BBC Local Radio but, for now, I’m going to focus on my @BBCRadio2 shows, Sounds Of The Sixties and the Golden Hour and my theatre tour which comes back in March.’
Tony was the first disc jockey to take the mike on Radio 1 when it debuted in 1967, and he went on to have a highly successful career as one of the UK’s most well-known radio personalities.
In November 2010, he took over as host of Radio 2’s Pick Of The Pops, succeeding Alan Freeman and Dale Winton, who had previously hosted the show for many years.
In addition to his other honours, he won the inaugural season of I’m A Celebrity in 2002.
After such an unbelievable life, he was requested to publish a book titled Living Legend: Tony Blackburn Story in 1985. However, he has since revealed that one component of his love life was’made up’ to make the chapters more provocative.
Last year, Tony was sent to the hospital with pneumonia after first reporting a chest illness.
He developed sepsis while fighting the illness, resulting in a two-month hospital stay.
In December, he stood away from the Soul On Sunday show on BBC Radio London, which he had been hosting since 1981.
